Alpha waves are electromagnetic oscillations in the frequency range of 8–12 Hz arising from synchronous and coherent (in phase / constructive) electrical activity of thalamic pacemaker cells. They are also called Berger's wave in memory of the founder of EEG.
Alpha waves are one type of brain waves detected either by electroencephalography (EEG) or magnetoencephalography (MEG) and predominantly originate from the occipital lobe during wakeful relaxation with closed eyes. Alpha waves are reduced with open eyes and drowsiness and sleep. They are thought to represent the activity of the visual cortex in an idle state. Occipital alpha waves during periods of eyes closed are the strongest EEG brain signals. They usually can be detected with the naked eye.
An alpha-like variant called mu (μ) can be found over the motor cortex (central scalp) that is reduced with movement, or the intention to move. Alpha waves do not start to appear until three years of age.[1]
Alpha wave intrusion
If alpha waves intrusion occurs when alpha waves appear with non rem sleep when delta activity is expected. It is associated with fibromyalgia.[2]
References
- ^ Kolev V, Başar-Eroglu C, Aksu F, Başar E. (1994). EEG rhythmicities evoked by visual stimuli in three-year-old children. Int J Neurosci. 75(3-4):257-70. PMID 8050866
- ^ Germanowicz D, Lumertz MS, Martinez D, Margarites AF (2006). "Sleep disordered breathing concomitant with fibromyalgia syndrome". J Bras Pneumol 32 (4): 333–8. PMID 17268733.
- Brazier, M. A. B. (1970), The Electrical Activity of the Nervous System, London: Pitman
See also: Binaural beats
External links
| This neuroscience article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
Categories: Medical tests | Meditation | Electroencephalography |
|
Times LIVE
He is a diminutive dog, but an alpha male nonetheless. So, with the wiliness of a dog with a much larger brain, Rex has taken to the poop with abandon. ...
329px x 457px | 20.70kB
[source page]
of diseases Actually you could do the same thing with a regular EEG Below is a screenshot from one of our EEGs You ll see how noticeable the alpha spikes are when the eyes are closed Written by admin on April 17th 2007 with
unknown
Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:57:00 GM
your chance to share some of your thoughts and opinions live in our off-week call-in show! Join Michael Hinman and whoever decides to call in for some great science-fiction/fantasy dicussion! airlock | . alpha. | . waves. | live | hinman.
Q. these are two different types of brain waves that are detected on an EEG recording. Beta: alert/working Alpha: relaxed/reflecting
Asked by sbtigger08 - Fri Oct 24 23:47:55 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments
A. Alpha Brain Waves are one of four basic brain waves [Delta Waves, Theta Waves, Alpha Waves, and Beta Waves] which make up the EEG, which is short for electroencephalogram and also electroencephalograph. The electroencephalograph is the recording device that produces the electroencephalogram. These 4 brain waves are all oscillating electrical voltages in the brain, but they are very tiny voltages, just a few millionths of a volt. The Alpha brain waves oscillate about 10 times per second, and the range is 8-13 cycles per second. The brain waves called "Alpha" were the first to be discovered (around 1908, by an Austrian Psychiatrist named Hans Berger). That is why they are called "Alpha waves", Alpha brain waves were discovered first. Alpha… [cont.]
Answered by Peter S - Sat Oct 25 06:26:42 2008
